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McMahon Offers Appreciation At Horizon Awards
After
an introduction by event host Michael Blair, McMahon shares his
thoughts about the Tug McGraw Foundation with the audience at the
4th Annual Horizon Awards held November 4, 2004 in Atlanta, GA.
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The Atlanta Sports Council recently welcomed award-nominated keyboardist
Jeff McMahon to the 4th Annual Horizon Awards honoring sports business.
McMahon, a longtime member of Tim McGraw’s band the Dancehall Doctors,
was on hand to represent the Tug McGraw Foundation and shared his appreciation
as the foundation was chosen to be the official philanthropic partner
for the celebrated event.
“The Horizon Awards is honored to be working with the Tug McGraw
Foundation to raise money for such a worthy cause. We look forward to
continuing this partnership for years to come,” stated Gary Tokan,
president of the Atlanta Sports Council. The Tug McGraw Foundation raises
funds to support medical research for brain cancer and brain tumors, with
a special mission towards quality of life issues.
Immediately prior to the opening of the evening’s festivities,
the crowd was introduced to Tug and the work of the foundation through
a video chronicling the athletic life and celebrated spirit of pitcher
Tug McGraw. The video was part of a presentation made by Foundation President
Laurie Hawkins, Vice President Jennifer Brusstar, and Dr. Henry Friedman
of the Brain Tumor Center at Duke University. Set to the record-breaking
song “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tug’s son Tim McGraw,
the video presentation proved to be both humbling and inspiring to those
gathered for the event.
[To
view the video from the event, click here.]
QuickTime file 11MB
Later in the program, McMahon was asked for his comments on the song
and the impact it had in the wake of Tug’s passing. McMahon shared
his thoughts on how it had affected audiences and the support that had
found its way to the concert stage through posters and signs as listeners
embraced its message. He also explained why McGraw had chosen to spend
his last days forming the foundation and urged everyone to wear the “45
YGB” bracelets in support of brain cancer survivors and in memory
of McGraw.
[To read a
complete transcription of his speech, click here.]
The exciting awards ceremony was hosted by entertainer and show emcee
Michael Blair, who wowed the crowd by entering the event flanked by a
marching high school band and drum corps. After taking the stage and bidding
farewell to his musical cohorts, he introduced his co-host for the evening,
Ernie Johnson, host of the award-winning Inside the NBA for TNT
and studio host for Turner Sports NBA telecasts.
Pictured
from left: Dr. Henry Friedman, McMahon, Foundation Vice President
Jennifer Brusstar, and Foundation President Laurie Hawkins.
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The fourth year for this event, the Horizon Awards provides a forum through
which recognition can be made for the accomplishments of leaders and innovators
within the sports industry. Awards acknowledge the contributions of those
involved directly with the professional sports leagues, as well as corporations,
media entities, marketing institutions, and advertising campaigns that
celebrate the tradition of sport.
The heart and drive of the athletes was not lost in this conglomeration
of corporate influence, however. Throughout the night, the contributions
and inspiration of athletes and coaches, both present and past, were held
in great esteem as their achievements were remembered…as was Tug.
To watch a replay of the entire webcast online, visit The Horizon Awards
website at http://www.thehorizonawards.com.
For more information on the Tug McGraw Foundation, visit their website
at http://www.tugmcgraw.com.
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